Postgraduate Diploma in Creative Writing

‌An online study programme

The PG Diploma in Creative Writing is a two-year part-time programme, aimed at writers wishing to develop their creative and critical skills at an advanced level. The programme adopts an all-encompassing approach to the discipline of creative writing, taking in a variety of genres and exploring the major forms of prose, poetry and scripts.

The programme starts in late September/early October each academic year – places are limited to ensure a constructive atmosphere for workshops.

This is a part-time, postgraduate-level programme delivered wholly online in a fully-supported learning environment. Students can exit with a Postgraduate Certificate after successful completion of the first year if their circumstances change.

Overview

Principles

The programme is a keen mix of writing exercises and literary analysis, and students will develop an understanding of the following key areas:

The power of imagination in literary creation

The distinctive character of texts written in the principal literary genres: fiction, poetry and drama, and of other kinds of writing

How literature and language produce and reflect cultural change and difference

The structure, levels and discourse functions of the English language

The role of critical traditions in shaping literary history, and the linguistic, literary, cultural and socio-historical contexts in which literature is written and read

The range and variety of approaches to literary study, which may include creative practice and performance

The central role of language and in the creation of meaning, and the affective power of language.

Structure

This part-time two-year programme will comprise six 20-credit modules which will develop students’ writing skills and their critical faculties in a range of genres. These modules are:

Year One

Effective Creative Practice: Creativity, Theory and the Craft of Writing

Critical Approaches to Creative Practice: Methodology, Research and Literature

Compressed Fiction: The Art of the Short Story

Year Two

Poetic Power: Theory and Practice in Contemporary Poetry

Sustained Fiction: The Novel as Narrative

Dramaturgy, Sound and Screen: Scripting for Theatre, Radio, Film and Television.

Students will be required to complete all these modules in the first instance, though additional modules may be added in the future to accommodate future programme growth and offer a broader learning experience.

Assessments will comprise a balance of creative portfolios at the conclusion of every module, alongside critical essays, reflective journals and literary reviews.

Online Study

What's involved?

Our approach to e-learning is distinctive and may be different from your general perceptions about online study:

Part-time study (approximately 15 hours per week) allows participants to structure their learning around the other life circumstances

Key points

These are not self-study programmes which leave you on your own, nor are they Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). You will be part of an active learning community with regular contacts and activities.

The technology-based approach means that our programmes are highly flexible, and you can study from anywhere at a time convenient to you. They are however carefully structured and you will be asked to participate in tasks and activities every week.

The programme is highly interactive and comprises numerous blog-driven tasks and exercises. You can engage with the tasks at any time during the week, and you don’t ever have to be online at the same time as other people, but can engage through a simple commenting function.

The learning takes place within a reflective and supportive environment, providing all the benefits of studying as part of a community but without having to be in a physical classroom

As well as interacting with your fellow students, you will also have regular discussions with a dedicated and friendly academic and administrative team at York.

The programmes are situated within a Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This is a user-friendly integrated website that provides access to study resources, discussion forums, the University of York Online Library and your University email account.

The York Team

A key feature of our programme is the availability and quality of support that we offer through module tutors, pastoral support and a dedicated administrative and technical support team.

Residential Weekends

We hold two optional two-day Residential Weekends at York each year. Each event is an opportunity to meet your fellow students and staff, engage in writing workshops and hear from writers about their experiences of the writing process and publication. These events are free of charge, though students are expected to meet the costs of their travel, accommodation and sustenance. For students who are unable to attend these weekends, there is the option to engage via real-time video conferencing or to watch recordings of the key sessions from each weekend. In the first two years, we anticipate that we will be joined at the weekends by John Baker, Helen Cross, Antony Dunn and Mike Kenny.

Entry Requirements & Cost

Who is the programme for?

The programme is aimed at experienced writers who are comfortable with exploring the possibilities of the English language.

Admissions Criteria

Normally students will be expected to hold a Bachelor’s Degree in a related subject area (such as English). CLL will also favourably consider any student previously awarded a BA/BSc in any subject, and with evidence of recent HE level creative writing study.

As a Centre based upon the cornerstone of open access, CLL will also seek to ensure that those without the qualifications highlighted above, but with the obvious ability to succeed, have the opportunity to engage.

In such instances, a portfolio of recent creative/imaginative writing and/or the presentation of a critical literary essay may be requested and considered by the admissions panel; CLL reserves the right to ask any student for such a portfolio to support their application.

Any student may be called to interview.

Students must have an IELTS score of 7.0 where appropriate.

Sufficient study time: approximately 15 hours per week including the capacity to take part regularly in the online weekly tutorial group discussions. These are an essential part of the study process.

A willingness to share your experience and be an active member of your tutorial group.

A personal computer with a broadband internet connection and Office software suite, compatible with Word and Excel formats. Students should also have a personal computer with a webcam and microphone to facilitate online video discussions.

For 2015/16, the cost of the Diploma award will be £4,830, split between the two years of the programme. The price of the second year may rise incrementally in line with standard University tuition fees, if appropriate.

Apply

How to apply

You can apply for this course using our online application system.

If you've not already done so, please read the application guidance first so that you understand the various steps in the application process.